Malignant granular cell tumor of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve: report of a case with cytogenetic analysis

Malignant granular cell tumors (MGCTs) are rare neoplasms of uncertain histogenesis. We report a case of MGCT involving a peripheral nerve with peritoneal and omental dissemination in which cytogenetic findings are available. Our results show that MGCTs share some cytogenetic abnormalities with malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs), supporting the hypothesis that they may represent histogenetically related lesions.     

Ring chromosome 6 as the only change in a thymoma

Cytogenetic analysis of a thymoma showed the presence of a ring chromosome 6 as the sole chromosome abnormality. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Age-dependent changes in CXC chemokine ligand 10 serum levels in euthyroid subjects.

Circulating levels of cytokines are deeply influenced by aging, and few data about serum chemokines are available. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of aging on circulating CXCL10. One hundred forty healthy subjects (70 males and 70 females), 10-79 years of age, underwent fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglyceride, and CXCL8 serum assay. Thyroid hormone testing for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), antithyroglobulin (AbTg), and antithyroperoxidase (AbTPO) autoantibodies and thyroid ultrasonography were performed in all subjects to exclude the presence of clinical or subclinical thyroid disease. Serum CXCL10 levels were assayed in all subjects and found to be increased in 14 of 70 females (20%) and in 4 of 70 males (5.7%) (p = 0.01). In a multiple linear regression model including age, body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, glycemia, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, TSH, AbTPO, AbTg, and CXCL8, only age was significantly related to CXCL10 [C.R. 1.30 (0.28-2.33), p = 0.001]. No relationship was present between CXCL8 serum levels and age, suggesting a specificity of CXCL10 elevation as a function of age. Results of this study, performed in healthy subjects on an age gradient, demonstrate an increase in serum CXCL10 with advancing age overall in females, supporting the hypothesis of enhanced Th1 immune responses in aging.     

Morphological observations and morphometric analysis in three human fetuses with bilateral cervical cystic hygroma

Three human fetuses (crown-rump length, CRL, ranging from 71 to 77 mm), presenting bilateral cervical cystic hygroma were examined. The specimens were cleared and double-stained with alcian blue and alizarin red S for detecting the ossification growth patterns in the vertebral column, ribs, ischium, limbs, and face. Longitudinal measurements of some long bones in the upper (humerus, ulna, radius) and lower (femur, tibia, fibula) limb were taken. The values of both the total length (TL) and the ossified part (OL) of each long bone, as well as the OL/TL per cent ratio were considered. Reference points were located on the mandible, i.e. condylar process (Pcl), coronoid process (Pco), gnathion (GN), gonion (GO), inferior interdental point (IDI) for measuring linear dimensions. All values obtained were related with those relative to a group of fetuses, without any detectable malformation and chromosomal abnormalities, with CRL mean value 75 mm, in order to assess the presence of further anomalies, besides the cystic hygroma, in the three fetuses considered.     

Synthesis and characterization of new siloxane-modified addition polyimides

A new series of polyimides was synthesized by addition polymerization of 4,4′-(bismaleimido)-diphenylmethane, 1,4-piperazine and an amino-terminated polydimethylsiloxane. The synthesis was carried out in m-cresol solution following a two-step procedure. Copolymers containing 15 and 20 wt.-% of the polydimethylsiloxane elastomer were prepared, together with the unmodified base copolymer. Infrared spectroscopy, ¹³C and ¹H NMR, thermal and thermogravimetric analyses were used to characterize the copolymers. The DSC curves of all the samples showed an exotherm in the temperature range 230–280°C, attributable to curing and addition reactions involving the chain-end groups. Different glass transition temperatures (T_g) were observed, depending on the elastomer content. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that no significant changes occur in the thermal stability of rubber-modified copolymers.